It is one of the most momentous battles in Britain’s history, yet – at least for those south of the border – perhaps among the least well known.

But that could be about to change, with more than £1 million being spent on a series of events to mark this year’s 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden Field.

The 1513 clash between the English and Scottish armies resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the Scots, the death of their king, James IV, and the end of their country as a major, independent power.

The northern kingdom never recovered from the disaster and within a century, the two crowns were unified, forming a link between the countries that remains unbroken – although, the quincentenary does comes just a year before a referendum on Scottish independence which could yet reverse those centuries old developments.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary – the last occasion in which a monarch from the British Isles was killed in battle – a number of activities are being planned, including:

• archaeological excavations at six sites, including at a nearby castle, which was attacked by the invading Scots, and on the battlefield itself, just south of the border, in Northumberland, where experts hope to pin down precisely where the fighting occurred as well as locate the exact site of the Scottish camp, from where James’s army was outflanked by the English.

• the transcription of dozens of sixteenth century documents relating to the battle, many of which are being made publicly available for the first time; up to 100 pages of letters, financial accounts and muster rolls, written in various languages, from the National Archives, in London, the National Archives of Scotland, in Edinburgh, the British Library, Durham University Library and from the archives of the Duke of Northumberland, at Alnwick Castle are to be transcribed and made available in digital format, along with a modern “translation”.

• the creation of England’s first “ecomuseum” – a new concept in which a landscape and its features are designated as a museum – covering an area of around 50 square miles and a dozen sites related to the battle, each with information and resources for visitors.

• and more than 50 other events including exhibitions, music festivals, a play and academic conference all dedicated to the battle, as well as pilgrimages from Durham and Edinburgh to the battlefield.

Events are being coordinated by a group called Flodden 1513, which was set up by Lord Joicey, whose estates cover the battlefield.

It has received around £1.3 million for the commemorations, with contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and councils on both sides of the border.

Lord Joicey said: “The significance of Flodden in the story of our nations is too often overlooked. I would argue that along with Hastings and

Culloden, it is one of the three truly national and international battles fought in this country. It has had a lasting impact, seeing the end of

Scotland as an almost equal player with England and leading to the union, yet it is not well placed in the national consciousness.”

North of the border, supporters of Scottish independence are hoping the anniversary could assist in their cause.

Earlier this month, Christine Grahame, from the SNP lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament praising James IV and calling for the return north of the border of his sword, dagger and turquoise ring, which are currently held at the College of Arms, in London. If the motion receives enough support, it will be debated by the parliament.

The battle was triggered James IV’s invasion of England, to support his ally, Louis XII of France in his ongoing struggles with Henry VIII.

The English king was in France at the time so the force which was despatched north was led by the Earl of Surrey.

The two sides clashed on September 9 and the result was decisive. Surrey’s army lost 1,500 men but Scottish losses were put as high as 12,000, including James, as well as many of his leading nobles, who, it has been claimed, fought on the front line, unlike the English nobility who remained nearer the rear of their forces.

The devastation of the Scottish force later inspired the folk song “Flowers of the Forest”.

After the battle, James’s body was taken to London, where it is said to have remained unburied for many years at Sheen Priory.

The body later became lost and its current whereabouts are unknown. It has been claimed that at one point his head was removed and used as a football.

James IV had four children with his wife, and another eight out of wedlock and has descendants scattered around the world, among them Howard Dean, the former governor of the American state of Vermont, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.